Last month I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Master of Human Relations degree.
This program is available on the main campus, and then at many military bases in the US and Europe. There is an OU office here at Lajes. The professors came out to the base to teach the classes. In my short time here on this island, I was able to complete my Master's degree, and that is just awesome. The degree is useful for just about any position where you plan to work with other people, either as a helper, mentor, counselor, or just dealing with coworkers on a day to day basis. The foundation is based on Psychology and theory, but the classes spanned a much greater set of topics. I took a course in chemical dependency counseling and one in creative problem solving. I took one in psycho-social development and one about at risk youth populations. I even took statistics...again! Overall, this was a great program and a great way to keep my mind going while at this remote location. I liked that it was different from my MPH program. I feel like I have had a wide variety of graduate courses to learn from, but still specific and relevant to my field and career goals.
Even cooler was that the base held a graduation ceremony. The main focus is military members graduating with their CCAF (Community College of the Air Force) degrees, but there are a few other programs that are run on base, and some that are not, and so everyone gets to participate. I would say 30-40 people graduated between all of the programs.
My sister even came to visit for the occasion.
Just like any graduation, we all lined up.
Here I am at my seat, getting ready for the opening remarks.
Blurry since I am in motion, but I promise this is me walking across the stage.
Here I am getting my diploma (not the real one since that is mailed), which is handed to me by the Commander of this base.
Afterwards I quickly posed with my sister.
Then I headed over to take a class photo. This is everyone graduating from the OU program. The professor visiting for the class of the month (they stay for one week of instruction, including the weekend) was there and gave a speech as well.
Congratulations to the Lajes OU Class of 2011!
Congrats as well to everyone who graduated this past Spring!
QUESTIONS: Ever heard of Human Relations (as a program or coursework)? Did you know military bases overseas offer courses on base and some with visiting professors?
5 comments:
I have never heard of most things you speak of, LOL! Congrats - so proud of you! xo!
Congrats, Melinda!! I think Public Relations would be a great degree to have, and I really think I would enjoy the classes (most of them). I actually thought about getting a minor in PR at one point. Crazy, I would have died with all the extra work while doing my dietetics major!
Congrats!! This is a great degree to have. I plan on going back for my Master's in Health Communications in January. Fingers crossed. :)
Congratulations on your Master's, Melinda! That's a huge accomplishment! You look so happy in the photos - I'm glad your sister could come and support you.
I've heard of Human Relations programs, but I didn't know that military bases offered such programs. What a great arrangement!
Awesome! Congratulations! :) I have a bachelor degree in Public relations and European studies. I think it's a great thing to have in your diploma and brain arsenal! :D All of the best luck to you.
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